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Professional bodybuilding couple's kids join them in competition

Dean Annett, his partner Bridgett, and their children Bosia and Tyler competed together at the Northern States Super Natural bodybuilding, fitness, physique and bikini competition in Buffalo, N.Y. earlier this month. Dean and Bridgett are both carded professionals. (Submitted photo, courtesy of Start To Finish Photography)

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A pair of professional Sarnia bodybuilders recently added a new challenge to the grueling gauntlet of diets and non-stop workouts their sport demands.

Training with their kids.

Dean and Bridgett Annett, both of whom have been bodybuilding competitively for more than 10 years, recently returned from the Northern States Super Natural competition in Buffalo N.Y.

Their results — pretty good.

Dean, 46, finished first in the lightweight (165 pounds and less) division and fifth overall among pro men, while Bridgett, 44, took third overall in women's pro masters, and the most muscular award.

It was her first non-first finish in more than a dozen competitions, a result Bridgett said “just makes me want to work harder.”

They also won in the couples category.

But the build-up to competition was a whole new challenge.

It was the first the Annetts have competed in alongside two of their children, Basia, 25, and Tyler, 21.

“The hardest thing we ever did,” said Bridgett.

The logistics of working out five to six days a week, spending “tons” of money on supplements, chicken and fish, while continuing to work and maintain regular life was trying, she said.

“Dean was great,” she said. “He did most of the cooking, he and Basia.

“If they didn't cook, we wouldn't have ate.”

But beyond the gut-check preparation period, it was a fantastic experience, she said.

Basia took second overall, just missing her pro card, in women's figure. It was her second show.

Tyler, meanwhile, took fifth in men's physique. The NCAA sprinter at Eastern Michigan University was a last-minute entry and dieted for about two weeks beforehand, the family said.

The show is part of the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF), meaning competitors are polygraph-tested and winners are also urine-tested for steroids or other banned substances.

“It feels really good to be where we are … to have (Tyler and Basia) follow in our footsteps,” Bridgett said.

But bodybuilding wasn't an obvious path, at least not for Basia.

Growing up, she said she hated bodybuilding.

“I was like 'Why do you guys do this?'” she said.

“My dad, he just looked like a meathead to me.”

It was about two years ago that Basia’s perspective changed.

“I got to a point where I was unhappy with my body.”

She enlisted the help of her parents' trainer Paul Scott, eventually losing about 37 pounds to get to her show weight.

“It was probably the hardest thing I've ever done, but I love it and this is probably what I'm going to do for the rest of my life,” said Basia, adding she wants to be a fitness model and get her personal training certificate to help others.

Tyler, she said, was initially more interested in track.

“But once he got a taste of (bodybuilding) he was gung ho,” she said.

Even her older brother Tracy, 26, a taekwondo black belt, seems to be coming around.

“He's having us take progress pictures of him,” Basia said. “I think he's well on his way to joining the family.”

Up next, Dean is eyeing the Stephanie Foley Classic in Austintown, Ohio in the next few weeks.

Then, it's down south, as the family plans to compete again together at the Mr. and Mrs. Universe competition in Barbados — one of the biggest shows that attracts people from all over the world, Bridgett said.

She noted the family is grateful to Scott, and Bluewater Nutrition's Frank Yazdani, for their support.

After a recent hiatus, she said, the Annetts are now planning to do two to three shows a year.